As you know, Autumn is always a special time for nature photographers. This year I hoped to challenge myself to capture a few images, that I feel have the essence of the autumn season. Fall colors can make for outstanding photographs, but I was hoping to go a little beyond vibrant fall color photos. With that in mind, Thurs Oct. 31 seemed it might be the ideal day for my personal photographic challenge, the weather was forecast to be overcast, most of the leaves have already fallen, the vibrant fall colors are now pretty much subdued, it seemed to me like ideal conditions.

I got up early (which is what all landscape/wildlife photographers do) and drove for 3 hours to get to my destination, Rickets Glenn State Park in PA (if you have not visited this place I would highly recommend a trip). On the entire 3 hour drive up to the park it drizzled rain and it drizzles more rain, when I finally arrived and started to get ready to take my equipment out, it poured rain!!! I immediately got soaked!!I I got back into the car and waited for over an hour hoping for the rain to stop, but it just poured and it poured.

Hey I am a reasonably brave photographer, a little rain does not scare me, but it was coming down hard! I looked at my equipment, looked at the rain and yes I got scared! (OK, now I can laugh about it, but I wasn't laughing that morning)! I thought I might as well go home... I decided to ask a park ranger about the current forecast, and she informed that it is to rain solid all day long! That's right I made a 3 hour drive to get to the park, and now I may have to turn around and go home without making one single exposure! That just did not sit right with me! Fortunately I keep a rain-suit stored in my vehicle, I decided to unpack and don the rain-suit, then I would be ready to handle the rain (at least that was the plan). I got dressed in the rubber-suit; stepped out of the vehicle, and yes then the rain immediately stopped. Sure I was covered in a squeaky, hot, rubber, water repellent material, that made me appear as a morgue worker, but no matter I was in now in Photographer's bliss! The photographic conditions became optimized, the light was soft, a hazy fog had just set in, and I had the place to myself!!! True paradise!!! Yippeeeee! Life is Gooooood!!!

I really enjoyed that day... I hope you enjoy the images!! Have a GREAT DAY!!!

On Monday I am heading to Ricketts Glen State Park. I made a reservation at the nice cabin for two nights. I am going to cover most of the falls there. Well.. I will be careful this time. Last year, I slipped on the rock toward the edge of the Adams Fall, a very close call, while I was scouting. It was after all morning rain that day!